Clare County Council/ Comhairle Contae an Chláir is the authority responsible for Local Government in County Clare.
The corporate headquarters are located at Áras Contae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis and there are four Municipal Districts (Ennis, Shannon, Killaloe, and West Clare) which are supported through area offices in Ennis, Scarriff, Shannon, Ennistymon and Kilrush.
There are 28 elected members, approximately 990 staff and an annual operating budget of €204 million in ****.
Clare County Council provides a diverse range of services across a large geographic area.Key services areas include planning, Local Enterprise Office, rural and community development, transportation, motor tax, water, environment, emergency services along with housing activation & delivery, libraries, and sports & amenities, property management, derelict sites, and vacant homes.
These operations are supported by internal services which include ICT & Digital Services, Corporate Services & Governance, Finance and People and Culture functions.
There is a diverse demographic across urban and rural communities with tourism bringing seasonal changes in population and activity in the county.
The Shannon estuary, Shannon Airport, industrial zones, and geographic location between larger urban areas, coupled with the unique landscape and heritage add to the diversity of activity in the County.
Local democracy is strengthened through the Municipal Districts and changes in legislation and regulation have placed greater emphasis on the role of the Local Authority in driving economic activity, ensuring accountability, accessibility and innovation while placing the customer and the community to the fore of service delivery.
The Competition
Clare County Council is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the above competition.
Clare County Council will, following the interview process, form a panel for the post of
Heavy Vehicle Mechanic
from which future relevant vacancies may be filled subject to sanction approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Positions will be offered in order of merit as per the panel.
This panel will exist for 12 months and may be extended for a further period of 6-12 months at the discretion of the Chief Executive.
Job Description
Carry out maintenance and complete overhaul of all types of heavy- duty diesel, electric and petrol vehicles and equipment.
This shall include trucks, pickups, vans, excavators, tractors, loading shovel/telehandlers, trailers, etc. belonging to Clare County Council and be available for out of hours emergencies breakdowns if required (Out of Hours will be compensated).
Essential Skills & Experience for the role
Good working knowledge of carrying out repair and maintenance of various types of vehicles.
Willingness to attend training provided by Clare County.
Experience in hydraulic/pneumatic/auto electrical area.
Possess a good knowledge of Health and Safety requirements.
Desirable Skills & Experience for the role
Experience and qualifications in hydraulic/pneumatic/auto electrical area.
Duties
The duties to be assigned include the following although this list is not exhaustive and may be reviewed from time to time as organisational needs require.
The duties will include the driving of appropriate Council vehicles.
It is understood that there will be occasions outside of normal working hours when the person employed will be assigned to a roster to cover breakdowns during Winter Maintenance season.
The Council requires that the carrying out of such duties be in a spirit of co-operation and good will.
The person employed will be required to carry out maintenance and complete overhaul of all types of heavy- duty diesel, electric and petrol vehicles and equipment.
This shall include trucks, pickups, vans, excavators, tractors, loading shovel/telehandlers, trailers, etc. both in the Council workshop and on sites throughout the County.
They shall also be required to carry out building maintenance as required and to discharge all other duties assigned to them by the Executive Engineer and Machinery Yard Foreman.
The duties will include but will not be limited to the following:
(a) To keep records of jobs and materials used as required for costing purposes.
(b) To be responsible for custody of materials, tools and equipment in their care and for the keeping of records necessary in relation thereto.
(c)Keeping such work records, work schedules and worksheets as To furnish all reports and returns as required on plant and transport to their immediate Line Manager.
(d) To undergo training at assigned destinations in relation to new systems, processes, devices and equipment and utilise such systems, processes, devices and equipment in the course of work.
(e) To comply with all requirements of PMDS operated in Clare County Council.
(f) Completing such risk assessments and risk assessment reports as are required for compliance with the Council's Occupational Safety, Health, and Welfare Management System and/or designated Safety Management System.
(g) Any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.
(h) The person employed will be required to perform assigned duties exercising a duty of care, in the interest of safety of oneself, fellow employees and the general public, at all times in compliance with Clare County Council's Health & Safety Management System.
Qualifications for the post
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
1. Character
Each candidate must be of good character.
2. Health
Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:
(a) Be a qualified Heavy Vehicle Mechanic / Motor Mechanic / Motor Technician and have served a recognised apprenticeship and obtained a minimum National Craft Cert or Candidates must supply documentary evidence in support of this to the satisfaction of the Local Authority.
(b) Have a minimum 2 years post apprenticeship experience from working in a recognised garage, with experience of service and repair of commercial / construction vehicles including diagnostics and wiring, electrical systems repair, overhaul of petrol and diesel engines, pumps and compressors, etc. as well as welding and fabrication capabilities.
(c) Hold a full clean current driving licence in respect of Category B Vehicles or equivalent in the EU Model Driving Licence on the latest date for the receipt of completed applications.
Class C driving license is desirable but not essential at this time.
Successful candidate will be required to complete Class C driving licence within the first 1 year followed by Class CE licence within the following 12 months of employment which Clare County Council will provide for.
(d) Have a good standard of education to enable them to carry out their duties effectively.
Failure to input and upload proof of essential criteria in your application form will deem you ineligible for this competition.
*Non-Irish Qualifications must be accompanied by a determination from Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to establish their comparability against the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, overseas qualifications must also be accompanied by a translation document.
The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time.
Holders of the post will be paid at the appropriate point on the salary scale in accordance with the relevant Department Circular.
Where the appointee has been serving elsewhere in the public service in an analogous grade and pay-scale and will be moving without break to another part of the public sector at an analogous grade, the appointment may be made at the appointee's current point of scale.
The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.
Starting pay for new entrants to the sector will be at the minimum of the scale.
The current annual leave entitlement is 25 days per annum.
Clare County Council's holiday year runs from 1st January to 31st December.
Granting of annual leave, payment for annual leave and arrangements for public holidays will be governed by the provisions of the Organisation of Working Time Act, **** (as amended).
Working Hours
The post-holder will be required to work a 39-hour week:
Monday to Thursday 8:15am to 4:45pm Friday 8:15am to 3:45pm
Lunch Break is 30 minutes.
The Council reserves the right to alter the number of hours worked each day/each week and/or the times at or the days on which the hours are to be worked.
You will be given as much notice as is reasonably practicable of any change in the schedule of hours worked.
You may be required to work overtime depending on work requirements and be available for on-call duties/emergencies.
Where possible you will be notified in advance.
Overtime will be paid at the approved rates.
Age
Each candidate must be under 70 years of age on the latest date for receipt of completed Application Forms for the office if they are deemed not to be new entrants to the Public Service as defined by the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act ****.
However, the age restriction of 70 years does not apply to "new entrants" to the Public Service as defined by the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act ****.
Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be:
A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA).
The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway; or
A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or
A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or
A non-EEA citizen who is a spouse or child of an EEA or UK or Swiss citizen and has a stamp 4 visa; or
A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act ****, or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa; or
A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa.
Terms and Conditions of Employment
CANVASSING
Any attempt by a candidate or by any person(s) acting at the candidate's instigation, directly or indirectly, by means of written communication or otherwise, to canvass or otherwise influence in the candidate's favour, any member of the staff of Clare County Council or person nominated by the County Council to interview or examine applicants, will automatically disqualify the candidate for the position being sought.
CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS
It is the responsibility of the candidate to declare if they are in receipt of any convictions/prosecutions and to bring this to the attention of the People & Culture Officer without delay.
GARDA VETTING
Successful candidates may be subject to Garda Vetting in advance of appointment to the position in line with the requirements of the National Vetting Bureau (Children AND Vulnerable Persons) Acts **** to ****.
HEALTH
For the purpose of satisfying the requirements as to health, it may be necessary for the successful candidate, before they are appointed, to undergo at their expense a medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner to be nominated by the local authority.
On taking up appointment, the expense of the medical examination will be refunded to candidates.
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
It is a condition of employment that successful candidates will be required to participate in training programmes relevant to the skills necessary for the performance of the duties attaching to the post.
In addition, there are many opportunities for further professional and personal development.
OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT
The position is whole-time, and the employee may not engage in private practice or be connected with any outside business which would interfere with the performance of official duties.
POLICIES & PROCEDURES
The post-holder will be expected to abide & adhere to the policies & procedures applicable to Clare County Council.
These include but are not limited to:
Code of Conduct for Employees
Attendance Management Policy & Sick Leave scheme
Grievance
Performance Management & Development System
Confidentiality
Information Communications & Acceptable Usage Policy and Social Media Policy
Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy
Dignity at work
PRIVACY
Please refer to the Candidate Privacy Notice
PROBATION
Where persons who are not already permanent employees of a local authority are appointed, the following provisions shall apply:
there shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold such office on probation;
such period shall be eleven months, but the Chief Executive may at their own discretion extend such period;
such persons shall cease to hold such employment at the end of the period of probation unless during such period the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory;
the period at
(a) above may be terminated on giving one weeks' notice as per the Minimum Notice and
Terms of Employment Acts;
there will be assessments during the probationary
RECRUITMENT
An eligibility exercise may be carried out, if required, on all applications received to determine if applicants satisfy the
essential qualification criteria
outlined in the
Job Specification Document.
Shortlisting:
Clare County Council may short-list based on an examination of the application forms received.
In this instance, an expert board will examine the application forms against a pre-determined criteria based on the requirements of the position.
Short-listing does not suggest that other candidates are necessarily unsuitable or incapable of undertaking the job, rather that there are some candidates, who based on their application, appear to be better qualified and/or have more relevant experience.
It is therefore in your own interest to provide a detailed and accurate account of your relevant qualifications/ work experience on the application form and also to demonstrate sufficient evidence if competencies are required for this position.
Shortlisting may also take the form of a short interview.
Competitive Interviews:
Selection will be by means of a competition based on an interview conducted by or on behalf of the local authority.
The number of persons to be invited shall be determined by the Local Authority.
Candidates will be required to pay any expenses incurred by them in attending the interview.
A panel may be formed on the basis of such interview.
Candidates whose names are on a panel and who satisfy the local authority that they possess the qualifications declared for the post and that they are otherwise suitable for appointment may, within the life of the panels, be appointed as appropriate vacancies arise.
REFERENCE/DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE
Each candidate may be required to submit as references, the names, and addresses of two responsible persons to whom they are well known but not related, at least one of whom must be a
recent former employer and/or current employer.
Candidates may be required to submit documentary evidence to the local authority in support of their application.
The admission of a person to a competition, or invitation to attend an interview, is not to be taken as implying that Clare County Council is satisfied that such person fulfils the requirements of the competition or is not disqualified by law from holding the position and does not carry a guarantee that your application will receive further consideration.
It is important, therefore, for you to note that the onus is on you to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for the competition before attending for interview.
If you do not meet the essential entry requirement but nevertheless attend for interview you will be putting yourself to unnecessary expense.
Prior to recommending any candidate for appointment to this position, Clare County Council will make all such enquiries that are deemed necessary to determine the suitability of the candidate.
RETIREMENT
The compulsory retirement age for new entrants who joined the public service on or after 1st January **** is 70 years.
Minimum retirement age is in line with State Pension age changes, as applicable.
There is no mandatory retirement age for '
New Entrants
' who joined between 1st April, **** and 31st December **** to the public service, subject to being in a state of health to render regular and efficient service.
65 years is the minimum age at which a person may retire.
For employees who joined the public service prior to 31st March ****, the minimum retirement age is 60 while 70 is the maximum retirement age.
It should be noted that the terms of Paragraph 13 of Circular Letter EL ***** - Incentivised Scheme of Early Retirement (ISER) may need to be considered in some instances.
It is a condition of this scheme as set out in the Department of Finance Circular ******* that retirees, under that Scheme, are debarred from applying for another position in the same employment or the same sector.
RESIDENCE
The holder of the post shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof as determined by Clare County Council.
SAFETY & WELFARE
The holder of the post shall co-operate with the terms of Clare County Council's Safety Statement and Major Emergency Plan.
They shall familiarise themselves with the safety rules and procedures and make proper use of all safety clothing and equipment.
Failure to comply with the terms of the Safety Statement may result in a disciplinary action.
If required, the successful candidate shall wear protective clothing and have on their person at all times a valid Safe Pass card.
Should they not hold a valid Safe Pass card, a course shall be undertaken to attain the card.
SICK LEAVE
The terms of the Public Service Sick Pay Scheme will prevail.
SUPERANNUATION
The terms of Local Government Superannuation apply.
Persons who become pensionable employees of a Local Authority who are liable to pay the Class A rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 1.5% of their pensionable remuneration plus 3.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e. pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children).
Persons who become pensionable employees of a Local Authority who are liable to pay the Class D rate of PRSI contribution will be required in respect of their superannuation to contribute to the Local Authority at the rate of 5% of their pensionable remuneration.
All persons who become pensionable employees of a local authority will be required in respect of the Local Government (Spouses and Children's Contributory Pension) Scheme to contribute to the local authority at the rate of 1.5% of net pensionable remuneration (i.e., pensionable remuneration less twice the annual rate of social insurance old age contributory pension payable at the maximum rate to a person with no adult dependant or qualified children).
From 1 January **** onwards, public servants will pay an additional superannuation contribution (ASC).
ASC confers no additional pension benefits and therefore should not be included in pension scheme benefit statements.
TAKING UP APPOINTMENT
The local authority shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of four weeks and if they fail to take up the appointment within such period or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the local authority shall not appoint them.
TRAVEL
When required to do so, holders of the post shall hold a full driving licence for class B vehicles and shall drive a motor car in the course of their duties and for this purpose.
If you are required to travel as part of your official duties, Clare County Council as your employer must be indemnified on your insurance policy.
Travelling expenses and subsistence expenses necessarily incurred in the course of official duties will be refunded in accordance with appropriate rates in line with the relevant Department Circulars and Clare County Council's Travel and Subsistence Policy.
If during your employment, your licence is revoked, even temporarily, or if you receive endorsements on your licence, which may affect your duties, you are obligated to notify the Council immediately.
WORK BASE
Clare County Council reserves the right to assign you to any department, premises or district in use by the Council, now or in the future.
Changes in location of employment will not result in payment of disturbance money or other compensation.
The person appointed will be required to provide themselves at their own expense with the necessary mode of travel to and from work.
YOUR AND APPEAL
The Council is committed to offering feedback to candidates who request it, and to dealing with such requests in a timely and efficient manner.
In this regard, Clare County Council will automatically forward the marks awarded to you at interview and comments made by the Interview Board.
The Council will consider appeals in relation to eligibility, short-listing, and final decisions of interview boards.
Such appeals must be made by candidates in writing within
7 working days
of notification of the relevant decision.
On receipt of appeal, the selection decisions will be re-visited, and the candidate will be informed of the outcome of this review.
Water or waste water emergencies:
Contact Uisce Éireann on ************
Other emergencies: ************* - outside office hours only
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